keep the home fires burning
To maintain daily routine and provide the necessities of life in a home or community.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I will keep the home fires burning while you travel for work.”
“With her husband deployed overseas, she stayed behind to keep the home fires burning for their three young children.”
“While the rest of the community sought fortune in the distant gold fields, he remained in the village to keep the home fires burning for those who could not leave.”
A reference to keeping campfires, lights, etc. at one's home village burning, often while part of the population travels elsewhere to hunt, etc.
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add fuel to the fire
To worsen a conflict between people; to inflame an already tense situation.
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are your ears burning
Asked of somebody who was not present but was the topic of discussion.
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ball of fire
A person who is especially active, ambitious, hard-working, or high-achieving.
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book burning
Any mass destruction, removal, or recalling of books, motion pictures, broadcasts, or electronic works as a form of censorship, especially motivated by religious or political objections to the material.
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bring home
To earn (money).
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bring home the bacon
To have employment which provides remuneration to satisfy the basic needs of oneself and one's family.
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broken home
A home in which the parents have separated or divorced.
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burning question
An important and pertinent question that urgently requires an answer.
Last updated August 10, 2026